A common pitfall in strategic reporting is the "analysis paralysis" loop: data is presented, problems are identified, but the meeting ends without clear next steps.

Cascade is designed to be a decision-making engine, not just a display board. In this lesson, we will look at how to use the Suggested Plan of Attack feature to instantly generate actionable solutions for the risks detected in your strategy.

Creating a "Problem & Solution" Dashboard

To maximize the impact of this feature, we recommend a side-by-side layout. This allows stakeholders to see the context (the status) on the left, and the solution (the plan) on the right.

Step 1: Configure the Layout

1. Enter Edit Mode on your report.
2. Add a second AI Widget next to your existing Executive Summary or Risk Report.
3. Drag and Drop the widgets so they sit side-by-side.

Step 2: Activate the Plan of Attack

On your new right-hand widget, select the Suggested Plan of Attack default configuration.

What happens next?

Cascade’s Tapestry engine analyzes the data shown on the left (e.g., an underperforming M&A target or a resource bottleneck) and generates a specific list of remedial actions.

• The Diagnosis: It briefly summarizes the issue (e.g., "Profitability gains from M&A are behind schedule").
• The Prescription: It provides targeted bullet points on how to fix it immediately.

Why this matters: This transforms your executive meetings. Instead of asking "What should we do about this?", the conversation shifts to "Do we agree with this proposed plan?"

Moving to Execution

The suggestions generated by the AI aren't just static text. Because they are specific, they can be immediately:

• Turned into new Goals or Actions within Cascade.
• Assigned to owners during the meeting.
• tracked for progress in the next report.

Note: You can customize the prompt later if you need the AI to be more specific (e.g., "Limit suggestions to 2 bullet points"), but the default configuration provides a strong starting point.

Bonus: Using AI Outside of Reports

You don't need to build a formal report to access this intelligence. The Tapestry engine is embedded directly into the Planner view as well.

The 'Analyze' Button

When viewing a specific Strategic Plan or Goal in the Planner:

1. Look for the Analyze button (often a sparkle icon) near the goal details.
2. Click it to open the AI side-panel.
3. Select Suggested Plan of Attack.

This is perfect for managers who are "in the weeds" of daily execution. If a goal you own is falling behind, you can hit Analyze to get a quick brainstorming partner on how to get back on track, without needing to wait for a monthly review meeting.

Summary

• Visual Context: Place a "Suggested Plan of Attack" widget next to your data summaries to create a workflow of Issue -> Solution.
• Speed: Use the AI to generate the first draft of a solution, saving time in meetings.
• Flexibility: Access these insights in formal Reports or directly in the Planner via the Analyze button.